Chinese brands dominate the Top 10 of best-selling plug-in hybrids in Europe
In September 2026, seven of the top ten best-selling plug-in hybrids in Europe were Chinese. The top three for the whole year are also Chinese.
The European plug-in hybrid market continues to grow. From January to September 2026, 1,128,763 vehicles with this type of powertrain were registered, representing a 22.7% increase from the same period in 2025. But another figure deserves attention: the three best-selling models are from Chinese brands.
The BYD Seal U DM-i leads the rankings with 74,109 units registered, a 47.9% increase compared to the same period last year. In second place is the BYD Atto 2 DM-i, with 50,890 units. Launched this year, it lacks records that allow for a direct comparison with 2025’s corresponding period.
The podium is complete with the Jaecoo 7, which sold 48,176 units, representing a 120% increase from the same period last year. The SUV is now just under 3,000 units behind the second-place vehicle.
Pos.
Brand
Jan.-Sep.
2026
Jan.-Sep.
2025
Change
2026/25
1
BYD Seal U
74,109 units
50,093 units
47.9%
2
BYD Atto 2
50,890 units
0 units
–
3
Jaecoo 7
48,176 units
21,895 units
120%
4
Volkswagen Tiguan
41,891 units
49,055 units
-14.6%
5
Volvo XC60
37,531 units
43,727 units
-14.2%
6
Mercedes-Benz GLC
30,286 units
26,266 units
15.3%
7
Ford Kuga
26,291 units
32,617 units
-19.4%
8
BMW X1
25,525 units
29,121 units
-12.3%
9
Skoda Kodiaq
23,844 units.
21,493 units.
10.9%
10
BMW X3
22,452 units.
18,972 units.
18.3%
The first model from a European brand appears only in fourth place: the Volkswagen Tiguan, with 41,891 units registered, a decrease of 14.6% from the previous year.
The Volvo XC60 and BMW X1 also saw declines, of 14.2% and 12.3%, respectively. The biggest drop among the Top 10 models was experienced by the Ford Kuga, whose registrations fell by 19.4% to 26,291 units.
In contrast, the Mercedes-Benz GLC increased by 15.3% to 30,286 units, while the Skoda Kodiaq rose by 10.9% to 23,844 units, likely due to the arrival of a new generation. The BMW X3 also recorded positive growth, increasing by 18.3% to 22,452 units.
September dominated by Chinese brands
The Chinese dominance is even more evident when we look only at September’s results. Last month, seven out of the ten best-selling plug-in hybrids in Europe were from Chinese brands. Chinese manufacturers now account for 38% of Europe’s plug-in hybrid market, up 10% from the same month in 2025.
The BYD Seal U DM-i once again took the lead, with 12,801 units registered, an increase of 15.3% from September 2025. It was followed by the Jaecoo 7, with 10,655 units (+55.8%), while the BYD Atto 2 came in third with 8,326 units. The Geely Starray occupied fourth place, with 6,729 units.
To find the first European model, we have to look at fifth place, occupied by the Volkswagen Tiguan with 4,618 units, a 31% decrease from last year. Followed by the Toyota RAV4 with 4,001 units (+3.9%), while the Volvo XC60 came in seventh with 3,967 units, showing a 32.2% drop.
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The Chery Tiggo 8, with 3,933 units, recorded the highest growth among the top 10, at 499.5% compared to September 2025. The list is completed by the Omoda 7 (3,646 units) and the BYD Sealion 5 (3,613 units), two models that were not available in September 2025.